Agenda of Ordinary Meeting of Council

Reports submitted to the Ordinary Meeting of Council to be held on Monday 5 August 2024.

Ordinary Meeting of Council AGENDA AND BUSINESS PAPER

Monday 5 August 2024

ORDER OF BUSINESS:

CLAUSE PRECIS PAGE

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY 2

REFLECTION 2

APOLOGIES 2

Confirmation of Minutes

CM-1 ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING - 22 JULY 2024 2

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST 2

Councillor Report

CR-1 Councillor Report - 2024 Floodplain Management Australia Conference 3

Reports from Staff

RP-1 REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - SECTION 356 6

RP-2 LAKE ALBERT UPDATE 11

RP-3 GROWING REGIONS FUND - ROUND 1 18

RP-4 WAGGA CRICKET GROUND MASTERPLAN 23

RP-5 EXTENSION OF COUNCIL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP 51

RP-6 CIVIC RECEPTION - AFGHANISTAN WOMEN'S FOOTBALL TEAM 54

RP-7 QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE 56

Confidential Reports

CONF-1 RFT2024-16 CELL 2.4 EARTHWORKS & LINER EXTENSION GWMC 59

CONF-2 RFT2024-26 GISSING OVAL AMENITIES UPGRADE D&C 60

CONF-3 RFT2024-25 Enterprise Asset Management and Project Lifecycle Management Software Tender 61

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF COUNTRY

Wagga Wagga City Council acknowledges the traditional custodians of the land, the Wiradjuri people, and pays respect to Elders past, present and future and extends our respect to all First Nations Peoples in Wagga Wagga.

We recognise and respect their cultural heritage, beliefs and continuing connection with the land and rivers. We also recognise the resilience, strength and pride of the Wiradjuri and First Nations communities

REFLECTION

Councillors, let us in silence reflect upon our responsibilities to the community which we represent, and to all future generations and faithfully, and impartially, carry out the functions, powers, authorities and discretions vested in us, to the best of our skill and judgement.

APOLOGIES

Confirmation of Minutes

CM-1 ORDINARY COUNCIL MEETING - 22 JULY 2024

Recommendation

That the Minutes of the proceedings of the Ordinary Council Meeting held on 22 July 2024 be confirmed as a true and accurate record.

Attachments

1 ⇩.

Minutes - Ordinary Council Meeting - 22 July 2024

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Report submitted to the Ordinary Meeting of Council on Monday 5 August 2024

CR-1

Councillor Report

CR-1 COUNCILLOR REPORT - 2024 FLOODPLAIN MANAGEMENT AUSTRALIA CONFERENCE

Author: Councillor Jenny McKinnon

Recommendation

That Council receive and note the report from Councillor Jenny McKinnon in relation to the 2024 Floodplain Management Australia Conference.

Report

The 2024 Floodplain Management Australia (FMA) Conference was held in Brisbane from May 21-24, and included experts and stakeholders from around the world exploring floodplain management and flood risk reduction issues. The conference featured a series of keynote speeches by researchers and public officials in the field.

1. Professor Gavin Sith of North Carolina State University opened the conference with a keynote on the complexities of flood buyouts and relocation programs in the United States. Drawing from extensive experience with post-disaster recovery, including Hurricane Katrina, he emphasised community engagement and policy guidance as critical elements for successful flood resilience programs.

2. Dr. Margaret Cook from the Australian Rivers Institute of Griffith University presented historical insights on human-water interactions, particularly focusing on rivers and floods. Her talk highlighted the importance of understanding historical flood events to better manage current and future flood risks.

3. Professor Paula Jarzabkowki from the University of Queensland discussed transforming the disaster insurance market to support climate adaption. She explored innovative ways to link disaster risk mitigation with insurance solutions, aiming to close the proception gap and enhance community resilience against floods.

4. These keynotes were part of a broader agenda that included workshops and interactive sessions, where participates engaged with experts on topics like trauma-informed data collection and improving flood warning systems.

I attended numerous workshops that were relevant to floodplain considerations in Wagga, including:

· Milwaukee’s journey to sustainable flood management – beginning in the 1980’s, this workshop looked at a chronological narrative of the faults in floodplain management in Milwaukee, and outlined how they moved to a ‘watersheds’ approach to catchment management, culminating in a program called ‘Make Way for the River’, which has been highly successful.

· Scotland’s proactive approach to flood management – outlined a program of flood management measures in Grangeworth which culminated in:

- 28 IM’s of levee banks

- 0.5%AEP Standard of protection

- Adopting a managed adaptive approach in line with Scottish Government guidance

- An estimated cost of $1BN

· Community experiences of the 2022 Tasmanian floods – a mixed method study found that most people living in flood-affected areas were aware of flood risk, but only about half had done any flood preparation. There were high levels of lack of trust in Council and local leaders in regard to flood information and preparation. The Study found that SMS alerts and Facebook posts, and that frequency of severe weather alerts can lead to desensitisation to official alerts. Trust for the SES was found to be extremely high.

· Applying the BoM’s flood scenario product to emergency response coordination – the Wagga / Gundagai flood situation of 2022 was used as an example. The presenter found that the BoM product held huge benefits for the SES in this scenario because of the strategic and tactical display, more detail available earlier, time provision, comes with commentary, and no other product gives the SES an indication of when minor flood levels are going to be exceeded

· Strategic Management of Flood Risk – recommends that flood management plans should be reviewed every five years and that there should be strategic management of levees with planned maintenance. The NSW Flood Prone Land Policy provides a website tool and a levee dashboard.

· Changes in Rural Floodplain Management in NSW – rural floodplain management plans are focussed on the Murray Darling Basin. Components include management zones, rules, assessment criteria. DCCEEW are willing to share their FMP hydraulic models. The department are developing four southern FMP’s over the next 2-3 years and the Murrum FMP is in progress.

· Engagement with Flood affected communities over twenty years – community engagement was and remains high on the agenda but has morphed from a simple newsletter or survey into an approach that includes extensive public meetings, online forums, and feedback. Message – engage early and often.

· Partnering with regional communities and develop nature-based solutions to flooding – for big floods with big catchment areas long term solutions are needed to restore catchment areas (to achieve sponginess and to slow water).

· Enabling healthy waterway outcomes in flood risk planning – need to provide enough space for natural river processes. Increasing vegetation will slow water but possibly increase flood levels, greenfield catchments are seen as a major opportunity for planning good water way outcomes.

· The power of innovative technology to deliver carbon negative flood management solutions – this example was based in Crosby, northern England.

· Integrating climate change into design criteria – decision support is necessary to strategies, plan and implement resilience design solutions. In the USA there is a no regulatory guidance about how to integrate climate change into design. There is a business risk associated with ‘reasonable foreseeability’ of climate impacts.

· Building back better – focussed on the Resilient Homes Fund in QLD.

· Flood evacuation Planning – certainties: flood events will occur, there is a need to prepare, there is a need to prevent unnecessary evacuations. Case Study: Maroochydore Council. Essential data: Property Database, decision – support tool.

· Effectively engaging with indigenous communities before, during and after floods – start with elders, cast the net wide and talk to as many as possible. Locally it’s best to have continuity of relationships with local First Nations People. Flood management should be co-designed.

· Boggabri case study – population less than 900 with itinerant workforce and many elderly. There was community confusion over the FRMSP process and general complacency. No appetite in the community for levees. Eleven Pote property purchases were identified and all eleven were personally invited to the public exhibition. Road safety concerns were identified.

· Updated climate change considerations in the Australian rainfall and runoff – previous recommendation (2019) to correct for climate change impacts was: expect increased rainfall (intensity of depth) by 5% for every 1 degree of temperature increase. This was generalised, and not applicable to all parts of Australia. Key changes have been made.

Financial Implications

N/A

Policy and Legislation

Code of Meeting Practice 2022

Code of Conduct 2022

Link to Strategic Plan

Community leadership and collaboration

Objective: Wagga Wagga has strong community leadership and a shared vision for the future

Our leaders represent our community

Risk Management Issues for Council

N/A

Internal / External Consultation

N/A

Report submitted to the Ordinary Meeting of Council on Monday 5 August 2024

RP-1

Reports from Staff

RP-1 REQUEST FOR FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE - SECTION 356

Author: Carolyn Rodney

Summary:

Council has received one (1) fee waiver request for Council’s consideration.

Recommendation

That Council:

a in accordance with Section 356 of the Local Government Act 1993, provide financial assistance to the following groups:

i Wagga Wagga RSL Sub-Branch

b note the proposed budget available for financial assistance requests for the remainder of the 2024/25 financial year

Report

One (1) Section 356 financial assistance requests are proposed for consideration at this Ordinary Council meeting. Details of each request are shown below:

1. Wagga Wagga RSL Sub-Branch – Request for fee waiver of Hire Fees – $155.00

Wendy Gaynor, on behalf of the Wagga Wagga RSL Sub-Branch in the attached letter requests:

Good Morning Cassandra

The purpose of my email is to request a fee waiver of the amount of $155.00 for the use of the Council Meeting Room on Saturday the 27 July between 11am and 12pm for the Korean Veterans Day Memorial Service due to heavy rain that is forecast for the 27th. The sub-Branch team will need to arrive at the meeting room at approximately 10.00 am to ensure everything is set up.

The Wagga Wagga RSL sub-Branch would normally hold the commemorative service at the Korea Memorial site in the Victory Memorial Gardens.

Approximately 50 people will be in attendance including three tiers of government, senior ADF personnel, the RSL sub-Branch, the Australian Army Band Kapooka, sub-Branch members and Veterans.

We are very fortunate to have in Wagga and surrounds, four living Korean Veterans, all in their 90s and very special to us. We need to ensure they are kept safe, warm and dry during the commemorative service.

A contingent of four senior representatives from the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Australia will be attending and there will be a presentation of the Ambassador for Peace medals to the four living Veterans and one posthumous to the Widow.

For Council’s earliest review and decision.

Wendy Gaynor

The above request aligns with Council’s Strategic Plan “Community Place and Identity” – Objective: Our community feel welcome, included and connected”.

Wagga Wagga RSL Sub-Branch have not received any other financial assistance from Council this 2024/25 financial year.

Financial Implications

Budget Summary (rounded to the nearest dollar where applicable)
Total Section 356 Contributions, Grants and Donations 2024/25 Budget allocation	$2,190,329
Total of Section 356 Contributions, Grants and Donations budget allocations approved during 2024/25 Operational Plan adoption*	($2,156,731)
Total of fee waivers approved to date this financial year	($605)
Revised Balance of Section 356 budget available for requests received during the 2024/25 financial year	$32,993
1) Wagga Wagga Sub-Branch	($155)
Subtotal Fee Waivers included in this report proposed to be funded from the Section 356 Budget	($155)
Proposed Balance of Section 356 fee waiver financial assistance budget for the remainder of the 2024/25 Financial Year	$32,838

*This figure includes Community leases rental subsidies ($1,612,174); Annual Grants Programs ($219,450); Major Events Sponsorships ($100,000); Fee Waivers and Rates and Annual Charges Waivers ($38,725); Contributions ($45,587); Scholarships ($6,000); Road Closures ($29,000) and Other ($105,795).

Policy and Legislation

POL 078 – Financial Assistance Policy

Link to Strategic Plan

Community Place and Identity

Objective: Our community feel welcome, included and connected

Activate community spaces to promote connectedness

Risk Management Issues for Council

N/A

Internal / External Consultation

Cross Directorate consultation has been undertaken as required.

Attachments

1 ⇩.

Wagga Wagga RSL Sub-Branch - Section 356 Request

Report submitted to the Ordinary Meeting of Council on Monday 5 August 2024

RP-2

RP-2 LAKE ALBERT UPDATE

Author: Ben Creighton

Executive: John Sidgwick

Summary:

Lake Albert continues to be an important asset for the Wagga Wagga community. This report provides an update on a number of planning and operational activities that will impact Lake Albert.

Recommendation

That Council receive and note the report.

Report

Lake Albert continues to be an important asset for the Wagga Wagga community. This report provides an update on several planning and operational activities that will impact Lake Albert. This report excludes an update of the Lake Albert pipeline as information on this project is provided in a separate report.

Lake Albert Water Treatment

Councillor workshops were held in late 2023 to review options for a possible algae treatment to either prevent or address algal blooms within Lake Albert and allow the Lake to remain at the green alert level or better. Two suppliers presented their products at a workshop. Following the workshop there was general consensus that staff review funding options for Waterzyme’s proposal.

To achieve green alert level BGA counts must be <5000 cells/ml in water testing results. If achieved this would mean that there would be no restrictions on the use of the Lake for recreational purposes. Health guidelines also require that there is no visible algal blooms present in a water body if it is being used for recreational purposes.

Waterzyme is an emerging product that has just entered the market. It has been developed in a partnership between an innovator based in Mildura and academics from Newcastle University. Waterzyme is added to water; its natural compounds bind to the walls of the cyanobacteria (BGA) causing the cyanobacteria to aggregate and drop to the bottom of the water within days of application. This starves the cyanobacteria of sunlight and triggers the destruction of cells. Waterzyme advise the product does not act on beneficial organisms in this way - its enzymes are selective and only act on the BGA.

Treatment of the lake commenced on 8 January 2024 following a detailed site assessment that was undertaken by Waterzyme and the University of Newcastle on 3 January 2024. This coincided with testing results that indicated a Red Alert level for BGA. These results meant that staff issued public health advice on the 18 January 2024 to avoid contact with the Lake.

Subsequent treatments then occurred over the following weeks. During this time significant drops in BGA readings were achieved. Following the initial month, a majority of the results were returned at either green or amber alert levels. However, the public health advice was not able to be reduced to amber level until 2 April 2024 as there were visible algal blooms present.

Despite having the positive impact, the Waterzyme treatment was not able eliminate BGA in its entirety particularly in shallow locations and areas of stormwater and other discharge.

Following the reopening ongoing testing required staff to reissue health advice to the public regarding the use of Lake Albert on 28 June 2024 due to some very high readings of BGA. This is unusual at this time of year. The BGA species involved that was generating the high readings exists within the Lake but is not normally the dominant species. It appears the warm sunny days along with the usual dominant species being impacted by the Waterzyme product allowed this species to bloom. With colder, cloudier days in recent times the water quality results have significantly improved and the visible algae has all but disappeared.

It is not known what the impact would have been if the Waterzyme product had been applied prior to the significant bloom being present. Waterzyme have provided two reports being an overview report and a technical report on the results. Waterzyme have also provided a proposal to continue the treatment for the upcoming summer season that would see the Lake treated earlier to avoid an initial bloom.

The use of the Waterzyme product required significant local support for its use. With the Boat Club and other user representatives spending a significant amount of hours to support Waterzyme and administering the treatment. If Council were to proceed with continuing with the Waterzyme product, improved delivery and support arrangements would need to be established.

Staff continue to have discussions with other Government organisations and suppliers of possible emerging treatments of BGA. It is recommended that Staff continue to explore all available options (including Waterzyme) and provide further advice to Council closer to the summer season on what treatments would be available for the upcoming season.

Sedimentation Of Lake Albert

As part of the ongoing planning for Lake Albert staff engaged PESAC to conduct a hydrographic survey of Lake Albert, with the goal of producing accurate depths of the lake in its current state, provide an indication of the sediment hardness, and an overall comparison to previous surveys that was conducted in 2015.

The following details outlined the Scope of Work for the Hydrographic survey of Lake

Albert:

· Complete a hydrographic survey of Lake Albert

· Provide accurate depths / soundings of the Lake

· Deliver Sounding data for information and to allow the ongoing monitoring of sediment movement within the lake.

· Provide Final report with included charts and data files.

· Complete a comparison to previous supplied survey data. – CAD file (Wagga Wagga City Council Lake Albert Bathymetric Survey – September 2015 / Drawing No. 11856) Included as reference document.

The survey was completed from Sunday 26 May to Friday 31 May 2024.

Following completion of the survey a comparison was completed with the 2015 survey data. The comparison of data shows how sediment accumulation has changed over the 9 years between the surveys. It is important to note that the areas that show the largest difference are close to the perimeter, but this is also where the comparison would be the least accurate due to potential differences in the edge soundings. These areas would also be impacted by the erosion of the foreshore which is proposed to be remediated as a part of the Lake Albert Pipeline project.

A map of a lake

Description automatically generated

A volume calculation was completed between the 2015 and 2024 surfaces with the following table outlining an estimate of sediment levels and how they have changed since the 2015 survey.

Detail	Measurement
2015 to 2024 Surface Comparison Fill	52,967.6m3
2015 to 2024 Surface Comparison Cut	12,163.4m3
2015 to 2024 New Sediment	40,804.2m3
Average height Delta	0.038m

Table 1 – Lake Albert 2015 to 2024 Volume Details

As shown in the above table, there is just over 40,000m³of new sediment accumulation from the last 9 years. This is significantly lower than the previous Lake Albert Management Plan which anticipated 20,000m3 annually. The total water capacity of Lake Albert is 4000 megalitres or 4,000,000m³. Therefore, approximately 1% of the volume was lost from new sediment over the last 9 years.

It should be noted that the inflows of sediment will be variable over time due to variable weather conditions and catchment changes. However, if this accumulation rate is to be used as a basis for estimating future usability the following would apply:

Percentage of Volume Lost	Years	Comment
1	9	No impact on lake usage
5	45	No impact on lake usage
10	90	Possible impact on Lake Usage
20	180	Likely some impact on Lake Usage

Staff have had preliminary discussions with dredging companies, however high-level costings were not able to be provided as it was advised dredging costs are highly variable dependent on the type of sediment, dewatering, required equipment, access and disposal.

Further reports and feasibility studies will be required to understand the relationship between the lake water, ground water and sediment as well as understand the environmental impacts of completing such a project. Other LGA’s who have recently completed similar studies have paid circa $300,000 for these studies (noting that these were in coastal areas).

Part of a NOM on the accumulation of sediment with Lake Albert asked staff to investigate the cost of deepening the Lake. Once again significant studies would be required to gain an understanding of the scope and potential cost of the project.

The logistics of completing such a project would be extremely difficult. As an example, to deepen the lake by a meter, it would result in an estimated 121,000 truckloads of material at approximately 10m3 per load.

121Ha x 10000m2 x 1m of depth = 1,210,000m3

All of this removed material would have to be stockpiled onsite and dewatered before transporting. It would then be required to be transported to a new location for storage or disposal. Analysis of previous material removed from the lake found it to be of very poor quality and it only use was establishment of spectator banks at McDonald’s Park. Any future investigations into this project could review the material quality and possible future uses.

Without developing a specific scope of works it would not be possible to accurately cost the works. On going monitoring of sediment accumulation should be completed over time to inform future decision making on Lake Albert.

It is recommended that staff continue to monitor the sediment accumulation and movement within the lake and continue to explore future sediment mitigation measures.

Lake Albert Plan of Management

Following multiple rounds of consultation, staff have received correspondence from the Department of Planning, Housing, and Infrastructure that the draft Lake Albert Plan of Management has been approved for public exhibition.

This plan identified all future potential development opportunities and activities around Lake Albert. This includes:

- the continued development of the foreshore

- improvements to community and sporting facilities

- the potential development of a primitive campground

- the construction of an accessible jetty and fishing pontoons

Public Exhibition of the draft Plan of Management will commence during August 2024. During the public exhibition period, in addition to the broader public consultation detailed consultation will be undertaken with the Lake users, surrounding residents and the Wiradjuri community.

Following the public exhibition period if no significant changes are required, the department has also consented to the plan’s adoption following its consideration by Council.

Financial Implications

As this update report is for Councillors to receive and note, there are no financial implications in resolving as per the recommendation.

Policy and Legislation

Lake Albert Management Plan

Link to Strategic Plan

The Environment

Objective: Our natural areas are protected and enhanced

Preserve and improve our natural assets

Risk Management Issues for Council

The risks associated with implementing the Plan of Management relate to process, cost, environmental, WHS and contractor performance. These risks will be addressed as part of the Council’s project management and contractor performance management systems.

Internal / External Consultation

Internal consultation was undertaken across the Property, Environment, Parks Operations and Strategic Recreation sections of Council on these activities.

Community Consultation will be undertaken during the public exhibition period of the Lake Albert Management Plan.

Mail

Traditional Media

Community Engagement

Digital

Rates notices insert

Direct mail

Letterbox drop

Council news

Media release

Media opportunity

TV/radio advertising

One-on-one meeting(s)

Community meeting(s)

Stakeholder workshop(s)

Drop-in session(s)

Survey/feedback form(s)

Have your Say

Email newsletter

Social media

Website

Inform

Consult

Attachments

1.	Waterzyme Report 1 - Provided under separate cover
2 .	Waterzyme Report 2 - Provided under separate cover
3 .	Survey Report - Provided under separate cover

Report submitted to the Ordinary Meeting of Council on Monday 5 August 2024

RP-3

RP-3 GROWING REGIONS FUND - ROUND 1

Author: Ben Creighton

Executive: John Sidgwick

Summary:

Council has been offered $4,493,776 from the Growing Regions Program to undertake Lake Albert foreshore works and construct the Lake Albert Pipeline.

Recommendation

That Council:

a delegate authority to the General Manager or their delegate to negotiate to enter into a funding agreement with the relevant Government department for the development and construction of the Lake Albert Pipeline, foreshore remediation and weir works

b approve the budget variations as detailed in the financial implications section of this report

c authorise the affixing of Council’s Common Seal to all relevant documents as required

Report

Council has previously considered the construction of a pipeline between the Murrumbidgee River and Lake Albert. In recent years staff have applied for funding on multiple occasions to allow for this project to be undertaken without success.

In late 2023 staff applied for funding through the Australian Government’s Growing Regions program. In May of this year, it was announced that Council had been approved to receive funding of up to $4,493,776 (Attachment 1). Alongside the approved funding, Council is required to co-contribute $4,493,776 towards the delivery of this project.

The project will see more consistent water levels in Lake Albert as the construction of the pipeline will allow for the pumping of 1800ML of water from the Murrumbidgee River. In addition, to the pipeline, 2350m of Lake Albert foreshore along with the existing weir structure will be remediated.

At the time of writing, staff had not received the draft funding agreement for this project. Staff received correspondence from the Growing Regions Program administrators on 10 July 2024 that stated:

On 16 May 2024, you received an email from the Business Grant Hub advising you that the Hon Catherine King, Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government had approved funding up to $4,493,776 (GST exclusive) to the Wagga Wagga City Council for the Lake Albert Water Sports and Event Precinct to proceed under the Growing Regions Program – Round 1 (the program).

This email provides an update on the program’s implementation arrangements.

The Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts is working closely with state and territory governments to establish a partnership arrangement to deliver the program. Under this arrangement the Australian Government will fund your State/Territory Government to work with you to prepare and execute a funding agreement and make payments to you based on agreed milestones.

We will provide you with a further update on these arrangements in early August 2024. In the meantime, we would like to remind you not make any financial commitments for the project until a funding agreement has been executed.

Despite not yet receiving the funding deed, an internal project delivery team has commenced project delivery planning. This has included initial discussions with representatives from Riverina Water regarding the use of the treatment works site as an extraction location, the potential use of redundant equipment on-site and a possible partnership delivery model.

Financial Implications

The Lake Albert Water Sports and Event Precinct requires a 50% co-contribution of $4,493,776.

Council staff have identified the following funding sources for the required co-contribution.

Funding Source	Amount
Financial Assistance Grant 2023/24 increase (general component)	$707,783
Grant Co-Contribution Reserve	$140,000
Civil Infrastructure Reserve	$3,645,993
Total	$4,493,776

Policy and Legislation

Recreation, Open Space and Community Strategy 2040

Lake Albert Plan of Management

Link to Strategic Plan

The Environment

Objective: Our built environment is functional, attractive and health promoting

Improve the facilities of our spaces and places

Risk Management Issues for Council

The risks associated with implementing this project relate to process, cost, environmental, WHS and contractor performance. These risks are addressed as part of the Council’s project management and contractor performance management systems.

Internal / External Consultation

Internal consultation has been undertaken with the Infrastructure Services, Regional Activation, Design, Parks Operations and Property sections of Council.

Ongoing consultation with Lake Albert stakeholders and Landowners along the proposed pipeline alignment will take place during the planning and construction phases of the project.

Mail

Traditional Media

Community Engagement

Digital

Rates notices insert

Direct mail

Letterbox drop

Council news

Media release

Media opportunity

TV/radio advertising

One-on-one meeting(s)

Community meeting(s)

Stakeholder workshop(s)

Drop-in session(s)

Survey/feedback form(s)

Have your Say

Email newsletter

Social media

Website

Inform

Consult

Attachments

1 ⇩.

Growing Regions Approval Letter

Report submitted to the Ordinary Meeting of Council on Monday 5 August 2024

RP-4

RP-4 WAGGA CRICKET GROUND MASTERPLAN

Author: Joshua Walsh

Executive: John Sidgwick

Summary:

This report has been prepared for Council to consider the feedback from the public exhibition period for the draft Wagga Cricket Ground Masterplan. The Plan was on public exhibition for 30 days from 14 June to 14 July 2024 and is now recommended for Council adoption.

Recommendation

That Council:

a note all submissions and feedback received during the exhibition period

b endorse the Wagga Cricket Ground Masterplan

c pursue future funding opportunities for the continued detailed planning and design of this project, as they arise

Report

In 2021 following multiple requests for consideration of projects at the Wagga Cricket Ground (WCG), staff met with the key user groups to discuss potential future development options. In consultation with the key user groups, staff developed a list of key priorities for the redevelopment and upgrade of the WCG.

To develop these priorities further, in August 2023 Otium Planning Group were engaged to conduct further stakeholder engagement to develop a draft concept masterplan for Wagga Cricket Ground. A key consideration of the masterplan was the removal of the cycling track from around the oval. This had previously been identified for removal once the Pomingalarna cycling complex was completed as it is reaching its end of asset life and will become an increasing maintenance burden. Removing the cycle track enables expansion of the turf playing oval, creating space for a full-sized rectangular sports field. This expansion increases the site's potential for bookings, as it would be able to be used for competitions rather than just training sessions.

It is intended the masterplan serves as a long-term strategic document, developed to guide future works by ensuring they are completed in line with identified priorities derived from stakeholder and community consultation. This approach ensures that any redevelopment occurs in a systematic manner, aligned with the masterplan's objectives, rather than via ad hoc decisions.

Council resolved the following at the Ordinary Meeting on 11 June 2024:

That Council:

a. receives the Wagga Cricket Ground Masterplan

b. place the Wagga Cricket Ground Masterplan on public exhibition for a period of 30 days from 14 June 2024 to 14 July 2024 and invite submissions until 21 July 2024 on the document.

c. receive a further report following the public exhibition and submission period:

i. addressing any submission made in respect of the Wagga Cricket Ground masterplan

ii. proposing adoption of the Wagga Cricket Ground Masterplan unless there are any recommended amendments deemed to be substantial and requiring a further public exhibition period

During the exhibition period, 9 responses were received. One additional submission was received by Council Officers through email. The were no submissions that required alternations to the draft concept Masterplan.

The attached document details the submissions received during the public exhibition and Council’s response. The key themes were:

Theme	Response
Keeping the velodrome (2 submissions received)	The velodrome is an aging asset that will require significant investment for renovation if it was to remain which cannot be justified due to the development of the Multisport Cycling Complex at Pomingalarna Reserve which incorporates a velodrome.
Opposition to the car parking proposal (2 submissions received)	Limited car parking at the site was highlighted as a key priority through the master planning process. Existing car parking is inadequate and additional spaces are required to allow capacity for future events.
Utilisation of the playing fields (2 proposals)	The removal of the velodrome allows sufficient space for 1 x full sized rectangle field which greatly increases the utilisation capacity at the site for multiple sports and events.

Initial high level in-house costings of the project estimate the total cost of implementing the masterplan to be in excess of $4.2M. Currently, there is no allocated funding for Wagga Cricket Ground projects within the Council's Long Term Financial Plan. The development of this masterplan will assist future funding allocations and grant applications. Prior to consideration of funding, each project element will be subject to further analysis including a business case and detailed costing estimate during that project’s planning phase.

Staff note that Wagga Cricket Ground is Crown Land. Any future works proposed in the masterplan would be subject to the appropriate Crown Land and Native Title assessments being completed.

Financial Implications

The total cost of implementing all items identified within the masterplan is estimated to be in excess of $4.2M which is currently unfunded. Prior to consideration of funding, each project element will be subject to further analysis including a business case and detailed costing estimate during that project’s planning phase.

For the masterplan to be implemented, grant funding along with Council contribution and other stakeholder funding will be required, which is currently not included in Council’s Long Term Financial Plan.

Policy and Legislation

Recreation, Open Space and Community Strategy and Implementation Plan 2040

Link to Strategic Plan

Growing Economy

Objective: Wagga Wagga is a hub for activity

Facilitate the development of vibrant precincts

Risk Management Issues for Council

The risks associated with implementing this Masterplan relate to process, cost, environmental, WHS and contractor performance. These risks will be addressed as part of the Council’s project management and contractor performance management systems.

Internal / External Consultation

The stakeholder engagement findings are included in the masterplan document. In 2021, multiple stakeholder engagement sessions were held by staff to develop a list of priorities for Wagga Cricket Ground following user group and community requests. In 2023, Otium and staff conducted further stakeholder engagements sessions during the development of the masterplan.

Following a Council workshop held 20 May 2024 and a subsequent report to Council on 11 June 2024 the draft Masterplan was placed on public exhibition for 30 days from 14 June to 14 July 2024. During the exhibition period, 9 responses were received. One additional submission was received by Council Officers through email.

Attachments

1 ⇩.	Wagga Cricket Ground public exhibition submissions
2 ⇩.	Wagga Cricket Ground masterplan

Report submitted to the Ordinary Meeting of Council on Monday 5 August 2024

RP-5

RP-5 EXTENSION OF COUNCIL ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP

Author: David Galloway

Executive: Peter Thompson

Summary:

Prescribed regulations, ongoing council projects and events require the continuation of the Audit Risk and Improvement Committee, Floodplain Risk Management Advisory Committee, the Australia Day Committee and the Public Art Advisory Panel post the local government elections to be held on 14 September 2024, with the extension of its membership for a period of not more than six months after the date of a local government.

Recommendation

That Council:

a extend the appointment of independent members of the following Committees for not more than six months post the 2024 Local Government Election, being held on 14 September 2024:

i Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee

ii Floodplain Risk Management Advisory Committee

iii Australia Day Committee

iv Public Art Advisory Panel

b acknowledge the contribution of the members of Council’s advisory committees and panels which operated during the term of the Council

Report

Council’s independent committee and panel members provide invaluable contribution and commitment to Council. Council has relied on this advice over the course of its term to identify community needs, engage and work effectively with the community and to inform its decision-making processes. This insight has enabled appropriate strategies to be implemented for the betterment of our local community.

Early in the new council term, Council will consider and adopt its committee structure and call for expressions of interest to fill independent membership positions for its committees and panels. It is anticipated that this process will commence in late 2024 with new committees and panel’s to be formed and commence from February 2025.

Council’s Appointment of Organisation, Community and Individual Citizen Members to Council Committees Policy (POL 117), states that unless otherwise prescribed in each Committee’s Governing Terms (Charter/Terms of Reference), Council will extend the duration of an existing Council Committee and its membership for a period of not more than six months after the date of a local government general election.

The Governing Terms of Audit Risk and Improvement Committee and the Floodplain Risk Management Committee require Council resolution to extend the duration of its independent membership for a period of not more than six (6) months after the date of a local government election. It is therefore recommended to extend those Committees as below, in addition, confirming the continuation of the Australia Day Committee and the Public Art Advisory Committee.

The Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee

Under section 428A of the Local Government Act, 1993, council must have an Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee (ARIC) to independently review and advise on aspects of the council’s operations.

It is recommended that the ARIC be extended to the end of 2024, to complete its review of the 2023/2024 Financial Statements (scheduled for 10 October 2024) and continue to provide independent assurance and assistance in the areas of risk management, internal controls, governance and external accountability.

The Floodplain Risk Management Advisory Committee

The Floodplain Risk Management Advisory Committee is recommended to be extended to the end of 2024 to allow further consultation and consideration of ongoing projects including Uranquinty levee design, Main City levee pump augmentation, Glenfield drain mitigation options and Lake Albert mitigation options.

Australia Day Committee

Given the local government election (14 September 2024) falls before the 2025 Australia Day event, the committee are required to continue until February 2025 to ensure the successful delivery of January 2025 Australia Day events.

Public Art Advisory Panel

The Public Art Advisory Panel are currently reviewing, assessing, and determining a schedule of public art projects that require the continuation of the Panel until the end of 2024 to complete final decision-making processes.

Financial Implications

N/A

Policy and Legislation

Appointment of Organisation, Community and Individual Citizen Members to Council Committees Policy (POL 117).

Link to Strategic Plan

Community leadership and collaboration

Objective: Wagga Wagga has strong community leadership and a shared vision for the future

Our leaders represent our community

Risk Management Issues for Council

The Audit and Risk Committee assists Council by monitoring its risk exposure and determining if management systems have appropriate risk management processes in place.

Internal / External Consultation

N/A

Report submitted to the Ordinary Meeting of Council on Monday 5 August 2024

RP-7

RP-7 QUESTIONS WITH NOTICE

Author: Scott Gray

Summary:

This report is to list questions with notice raised by Councillors in accordance with Council’s Code of Meeting Practice.

Recommendation

That Council receive and note the report.

Report

The following questions with notice were received prior to the meeting, in accordance with the Code of Meeting Practice.

Councillor R Kendall

In relation to the MiniRoos competition held at Bolton Park, is there an opportunity to install flashing lights and restrict the speed limit in this location during the competition hours.

A change of the speed limit would require the approval of Transport for NSW. As a trial, staff will install a variable message sign board on Tarcutta Street at the Southern end of Bolton Park facing North bound traffic to warn them of the increased activity ahead. At the end of the season the effectiveness of this will be reviewed in consideration future permanent options.

Councillor R Foley

Has Council had any contact in recent times from NSW Housing Minister, Rose Jackson in relation to the establish a Flying Squad to assist with our Planning backlogs? If so, has there been any offers to provide any assistance with our backlog?

The Flying Squad Program has ceased. DPHI’s website will soon be updated to reflect this, but currently shows information on the last tranche of the Flying Squad Program. The Flying Squad had strict guidelines and requirements for application and the service provided was assessment only.

Councillor R Foley

Will Council management be looking at private contractors’ streams to assist Council with the planning backlogs.

The administrative and technical effort required by Council officers to prepare an application for submission to an external party for assessment is significant and includes quality checking. Once this work is undertaken, it is often more time efficient for the officers to do the assessment and complete the application internally.

However, Council is currently using several local consultants (familiar with our systems and processes) to assist with the backlog of development applications and building certification where we do not have officers with appropriate accreditation. We also explored using a Sydney based consultancy to provide further resourcing for development assessment. The costs of these consultancies are significant and increasing.

We are continuing to explore delivery models and operational efficiencies to provide our services in a timely manner.

Councillor Henderson

Do we have a routine check of roads in relation to overhanging trees on an annual schedule or is this reactive.

Currently most of this work is reactive driven by customer requests. Our risk matrix begins with arterial, sub-arterial and collector roads, so not all the requests are graded the same, higher occupancy takes priority. Limited resources and funding also play a role in what can be achieved.

Financial Implications

N/A

Policy and Legislation

Code of Meeting Practice

Link to Strategic Plan

Community leadership and collaboration

Objective: Our community is informed and actively engaged in decision making and problem-solving to shape the future of Wagga Wagga

Ensure our community feels heard and understood

Risk Management Issues for Council

N/A

Internal / External Consultation

N/A